Celebs Head Down To New Orleans For 2011 Essence Music Festival!

Jul 02 | by Natasha

It's that time of the year again! The 2011 Essence Music Festival has more than kicked off this 4th of July weekend in New Orleans, and The YBF is on the scene covering all the events and concerts at the Superdome and around town. (FOLLOW US ON TWITTER for backstage access, insider pics, and dish.)

We've got pics from Day 1 around the city at the McDonald's 365 Black Awards and autograph signings at the Convention Center inside...

Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Usher, and more are taking the stage at the Superdome as we type. Y'all know each night is an ALL-NIGHT affair during Essence Fest Weekend. But earlier on Friday, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Lance Gross, Terry Crews, and more hit the New Orleans Convention Center to sign autographs for their reality show fans, "Are We There Yet?," and "House of Payne" fans:

Keshia and Lance posed with co-star Demetria McKinney. And signed autographs for all their fans:

Lookin' fab.

TBS's stars Tamala and David Mann were there with the fineness that is Lamman Rucker.

"Are We There Yet?" stars Terry Crews and Essence Atkins were there having some fun:

And Terry's wife Rebecca came over to sign some autographs for the fans of their reality show.

Garcelle Beauvais of "Franklin & Bash" was on hand as well:

Fab times.

Also at the Convention Center today, Mary J. Blige and Angela Bassett were on hand for the McDonald's 365 Black Awards. McDonalds honors 5 amazing African-Americans who are doing amazing things for the black community. This year, the honorees were Ruby Dee, Mary J, Cathy Hughes, Benjamin Jealous, Hank Thomas:

The Awards opened with co-host Angela revealing that the "Waiting To Exhale 2" script is due in this month. Of course, she's set to star in the sequel and Terry McMillan is finishing the script.

Loving this summery yellow dress.

And MJB looked pretty in black and grey cheetah print:

She revealed that she's set to shoot the "Nina Simone" movie this September---and she's working on "My Life 2" album right now. Nice!

She had her hubby Kendu there too of course.

And legends Ruby Dee and Stephanie Mills snapped a pic together as well. Nice!

Photog: Bolen

Categories:

Event Fab

PREVIOUS: ESSENCE MUSIC FEST FAB: Usher, Fantasia And Jennifer Hudson Rock The Mic In New Orleans, Celebs Party It Up

NEXT: SNEAK PEEK: Ameriie & New Hubby Lenny Nicholson's Wedding Photo!

Comments

WANT YOUR OWN AVATAR? GET IT HERE.

I wish I was there and

I wish I was there and everybody looking nice. Lance and Keisha need to hook-up since they play a married couple on House of Payne.

by EmmaV
11:36 pm - Jul 2, '11

Does anyone know what brand

Does anyone know what brand that top keisha is wearing? That outfit is too cute for summer!

by Anonymous
10:38 pm - Jul 2, '11

lmfaooo @ that asian scary

lmfaooo @ that asian scary ass looking ronald mcdonald.

by Coldplayer
9:03 pm - Jul 2, '11

FUN TIMES

by AMBRIELLE
9:00 pm - Jul 2, '11

i just saw chris brown's ass

i just saw chris brown's ass at http://kelsnetwork.blogspot.com/

by jane
8:13 pm - Jul 2, '11

Terry is awesomeness..I would

Terry is awesomeness..I would love to arm wrestle him..

by Anonymous
7:34 pm - Jul 2, '11

Jasmine Guy and Ruby Dee can

Jasmine Guy and Ruby Dee can pass for sisters being Jasmine is so old looking in her face.

by cin amon
3:26 pm - Jul 2, '11

You know, now that you said

You know, now that you said that, on second look, I can see Jasmine Guy's face when I look at Ruby Dee's face

by Anon
3:57 pm - Jul 2, '11

i feel left out....wish i was

i feel left out....wish i was there http://givingherhers.blogspot.com

by Jojo
3:08 pm - Jul 2, '11

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by Anonymous
2:51 pm - Jul 2, '11

garcelle beauvais used to be

garcelle beauvais used to be soooooooooooooooooooooo pretty.... i wish she aged better

by Mila
12:48 pm - Jul 2, '11

I have to go one of these

I have to go one of these years; looks like so much fun!

by BlackVesper
12:21 pm - Jul 2, '11

Keisha Pulliam should date

Keisha Pulliam should date Lance Gross.....they would make a fab couple

by Anonymous
11:34 am - Jul 2, '11

Dame, I was thinking the same

Dame, I was thinking the same thing. They both pretty as hell.

by loving life
12:37 pm - Jul 2, '11

Dame, I was thinking the same

Dame, I was thinking the same thing. They both pretty as hell.

by loving life
12:36 pm - Jul 2, '11

Dame, I was thinking the same

Dame, I was thinking the same thing. They both pretty as hell.

by loving life
12:36 pm - Jul 2, '11

Dame, I was thinking the same

Dame, I was thinking the same thing. They both pretty as hell.

by loving life
12:35 pm - Jul 2, '11

More photos from inside the

More photos from inside the festival - Jennifer Hudson looking stunning and Usher: www.msjamerica.com

by Anonymous
11:01 am - Jul 2, '11

just saw chrisbrown's ass at

just saw chrisbrown's ass at http://kelsnetwork.blogspot.com/

by jess
10:43 am - Jul 2, '11

I'm not feeling Ronald

I'm not feeling Ronald McDonald's hair!!! What's up with that?

by Anonymous
9:27 am - Jul 2, '11

he should've borrowed one of

he should've borrowed one of Rihanna's wigs

by Anonymous
9:31 am - Jul 2, '11

Dang..i wish i was

Dang..i wish i was there http://www.natoyaebony.com/

by Anonymous
8:55 am - Jul 2, '11

Keshia Knight-Pulliam is

Keshia Knight-Pulliam is gorgeous and I love that outifit. Lance Gross, delicious. I think him and Keisha would make a beautiful couple.

by Lisa
8:38 am - Jul 2, '11

It looks as if it was hot as

It looks as if it was hot as hell.

by Yas
8:31 am - Jul 2, '11

Girl,hot is not even the word

Girl,hot is not even the word for it.I live 3 hrs. away from there in Alabama & we have been having 100 degree weather since the middle of May and it keeps getting hotter.Some days the air conditioning does absolutely no good.

by Anonymous
8:54 am - Jul 2, '11

co-sign!!

by portcityblues
11:12 am - Jul 2, '11

Mary J Blige is stunning. She

Mary J Blige is stunning. She also is the only woman of her lovely tone who can pull off that blonde hair.

by Ralphy J.
8:11 am - Jul 2, '11

that is the truth! I really

that is the truth! I really really love how she has found joy in her life. For years Mary always had a nervous smile on her face, now it's genuine and happy

by Errors galore...
12:46 pm - Jul 2, '11

love me some ruby dee! god

love me some ruby dee! god bless her

by Anonymous
8:04 am - Jul 2, '11

Yes, me too....luv Ms. Ruby

Yes, me too....luv Ms. Ruby D. And Stephanie Mills, where you been? One of the most CLASSIC voices that will never be forgotten.

by Anonymous
2:59 pm - Jul 2, '11

Yes, me too....luv Ms. Ruby

Yes, me too....luv Ms. Ruby D. And Stephanie Mills, where you been? One of the most CLASSIC voices that will never be forgotten.

by Anonymous
2:58 pm - Jul 2, '11

Yes, me too....luv Ms. Ruby

Yes, me too....luv Ms. Ruby D. And Stephanie Mills, where you been? One of the most CLASSIC voices that will never be forgotten.

by Anonymous
2:58 pm - Jul 2, '11

Yes, me too....luv Ms. Ruby

Yes, me too....luv Ms. Ruby D. And Stephanie Mills, where you been? One of the most CLASSIC voices that will never be forgotten.

by Anonymous
2:58 pm - Jul 2, '11

Lamman Rucker is gorgest!

Lamman Rucker is gorgest! Since when did Ronald McDonald get a blow out?

by Cindy
7:46 am - Jul 2, '11

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by Anonymous
7:43 am - Jul 2, '11

I love Keshia! So pretty and

I love Keshia! So pretty and classy. Stacey Dash just shot some interesting photos for Runway mag and reveals how she stays fit: www.msjamerica.com

by Anonymous
7:42 am - Jul 2, '11

Aw, cute smile lance. I am

Aw, cute smile lance. I am loving that dress on Mary. I need to be in NO right now!

by baklavaglue
7:40 am - Jul 2, '11

Anyone else never seen are we

Anyone else never seen are we there yet..?

by Anonymous202
7:39 am - Jul 2, '11

you are the only one! Love

you are the only one! Love The Family Crews. That IS a respectable black family

by Errors galore...
12:47 pm - Jul 2, '11

That's the bootleg Ronald

That's the bootleg Ronald mcdonald... Lol where did they get his away @, the other dude must have been in vacation

by Anonymous202
7:38 am - Jul 2, '11

just saw chrisbrown's ass at

just saw chrisbrown's ass at http://kelsnetwork.blogspot.com/

by jane
6:25 am - Jul 2, '11

I am green! just green with

I am green! just green with envy! Jill is going to kill it! I wish I was there

by Conclusion
2:45 am - Jul 2, '11

Everyone in this post looks

Everyone in this post looks beautiful! I hate I missed all the nice festivities! Keyshia's outfit and whole entire look is hawt!

by @miss619
2:09 am - Jul 2, '11

It's a shame all the actors &

It's a shame all the actors & actresses have become reality stars. Where will television go next? The days of television shows died in 2001, then came sitcoms, now reality shows...I guess next everything will be animated...

by Anonymous
1:58 am - Jul 2, '11

Correction: 'Waiting to

Correction: 'Waiting to Exhale' script is DUE in not DO in....

by Anonymous
1:49 am - Jul 2, '11

Everybody looks FABULOUS!!!!

Everybody looks FABULOUS!!!! OMG I wish I was there!!!!

by Anonymous
1:39 am - Jul 2, '11

Lance has the most beautiful

Lance has the most beautiful smile! And am I the only adult in the world who is still afraid of Ronald McDonald?

by Anonymous
1:27 am - Jul 2, '11

No honey! I am afraid of

No honey! I am afraid of Ronald McDonald too! Have been for many years. I even thought that one time, he and the Hamburgler were walking through my backyard... And I am being straight serious!